Dirty Deeds

CH 2: Congrats

             Of course Layla takes the bet. Layla always takes the bet, even if she thinks I'll win. Partly because that's what best friends do, and partly because, either way, it will mean weeks of entertainment for both of us. There's something different about it this time, though. Layla's eyes are sparkling, and she's looking at me like she thinks maybe this time, I'll lose. It's been ages since I had a challenge like this. I watch the match between the Hart Dynasty and Matt Hardy, who is tag teaming with the Great Khali. Matt pulls the win out, which Layla applauds with a sarcastic "Yay!"

I laugh. "It's always nice to see the hero triumph over the villain, right?"

"I'm just wondering, why are you wasting your time?" she asks. "I mean, even when he wins, he's a loser. He's tagging with Khali, for pity's sake!"

I turn the screen off while I consider the question. "Because I want to."

"Is this about Maria again?"

"Please. She's not even in my league!"

Layla smirks. "You know, Michelle, you can deny it all you want, but first you went after Dolph and now you're going after Matt. You wouldn't have shown any interest at all in either of them if it hadn't been for Maria."

The problem with having a best friend who knows you so well is that they can sometimes know you too well. "It's not about Maria."

"Suuure."

"Okay, fine. It's not entirely about Matt. Some of it is about Maria. But most of it is about Matt." I can tell she doesn't believe me, even though it's the truth. Sure, part of me is irked that Maria seems to be a golden girl who can do no wrong right now. She won Diva of the Year, which is irritating. What did she do last year, aside from sucking up valuable screen time with Dolph Ziggler? I should have been Diva of the Year. I am a champion. Maria is a loser.

Layla rolls her eyes at me, then stands up. "Come on. You should probably go separate your new conquest and his valentine. They're probably lip locking, even as we speak."

"I'm not too worried about it," I say, but I get up and follow her out into the hall, anyway. Outside of our locker room, it's noisy. I can hear Chris Jericho's intro music in the arena, over the sound of Edge talking.

"You only have a month and a half until Wrestlemania," Layla says. She stops, spying Matt and Maria in conversation down the hall a moment before I do. "And they look pretty cozy already."

What she says is true. Matt's leaning close to Maria and seems to be getting closer by the minute. I push past Layla and head for the pair. "Nice match out there, Matt," I say, smiling.

Matt looks confused. "Uh, thanks, Michelle." He looks down at Maria, who is staring at me like I tried to steal her man or something. Oh, wait...

"Do you need something?" she asks. I continue to smile, but I ignore Maria.

"Just wanted to say congratulations on the win."

"Thanks," Matt says again.

I nod. "Have a good night." I turn and head back toward Layla, a smirk already forming on my lips as I hear Matt ask Maria, "What the hell was that all about?" Her reply is too soft for me to catch.

"That looked like it went well," Layla says.

"Better than I expected it to. Don't worry, though. A month and a half should be just fine. I do love a challenge."